Each summer, the agricultural census is carried out by the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department. For census purposes, farms are classified into one of two categories: main farms are those above a certain physical or economic size - broadly, those of more than one hectare, or where the net value of the crops and livestock is more than about one and two-thirds European Size Units; minor farms are those which were below this threshold at the time of last classification. The survey of minor farms is conducted over a 3 year cycle, about one-third being surveyed each year. In 1997 33,000 main farms, and 5,800 of the 17,400 minor farms on the department’s register were surveyed. Both the main and minor censuses collect information on crops, livestock and labour as at 1 June, although the minor survey is less detailed than the main survey. In addition, a sample survey (of about 40%) of main farms is carried out in December in order to provide estimates of winter crops sown, and breeding livestock maintained for the next breeding season. The information is collected under the Agriculture Act 1947, and the surveys are conducted by postal questionnaire.

The statistics shown in this section mostly relate to main farms, although estimates for minor farms are also shown in some cases. Minor farms accounted for 0.6 per cent of the total tillage area, about 0.8 per cent of cattle, and about 3 per cent of sheep in 1997.

The surveys are conducted for a wide range of purposes: the statistics help the department to form, monitor and evaluate policy, and to assess the economic well-being of the different agricultural sectors. Most of the data collected is also required by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. Equally important is the regular contact with farmers, which enables the department’s register to be kept up to date. This means, for example, that information on new animal health requirements, or new subsidy schemes can be quickly directed to relevant farmers.

In 1993, as part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) was established, and a new scheme, the Arable Area Payments’ Scheme (AAPS), introduced. In order to be eligible for aid under the Main Scheme of the AAPS, applicants are required to set aside a proportion of the land on which they are claiming aid, and this accounts for the large increase at that time in the set aside area (and the consequent decrease in the area of other arable crops) shown in the charts.

Some of the tables in this section provide information for each of our 14 standard agricultural regions. Following a recent change of name, the area formerly known as Western Isles is now referred to in the tables as Eileanan an Iar.

The total area of combine harvested crops on main farms rose by over 7 per cent in 1997 to 538,500 hectares; together with the estimated area on minor farms (about 1100 hectares), the total reached 539,700 hectares. The area of cereals on main farms increased by 6 per cent, and the area of oilseed rape increased sharply by 20 per cent to 59,300 hectares. As a result of a reduction in the area required to be set aside under AAPS, the area of set-aside fell by 42 per cent to 40,200 hectares.

The area of potatoes on main farms decreased by 6 per cent to 27,600 hectares. Crops grown for stockfeed fell slightly to 27,200 hectares, due to a 5 per cent decrease in the area of turnips, swedes and beet for stockfeeding.

The area of grass on main farms was little changed although the proportion of young grass continued to decrease. The area for rough grazing on main farms, however, fell by 90,000 hectares (almost 3 per cent), leading to a 1 per cent fall in total agricultural area. Including main and minor farms, the total agricultural area was 6,120,000 hectares in 1997, of which about 67 per cent was accounted for by rough and common grazing.

Farm woodland continued to increase in 1997 to a total (main and minor) of about 178,000 hectares.

The total number of cattle on main farms decreased by 2 per cent in 1997 to 2.063 million. The main factors behind this fall were a decrease of 4 per cent in the dairy herd; a fall of around 15,000 in the number of cattle aged six months and over but under 1 year (generally attributable to male calves going through the Calf Processing Scheme); and an 11,000 drop in the number of other cattle aged two years and over compared with an historically high level in 1996.

The number of sheep on main farms increased for the first time since 1991, rising by about 2 per cent to 9.27 million. The number of ewes for breeding increased by 0.6 per cent to 3.67 million.

The pig breeding herd on main farms increased by 11 per cent to just over 69,000 and the total pig herd also rose sharply, by 12 per cent, to over 641,000.

The poultry flock on main farms increased by 3 per cent to 14.68 million, chiefly as a result of an 8 per cent rise in the number of broilers and other table birds.